The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) on Wednesday launched a new awards programme that is focussed on celebrating and encouraging corporate social responsibility, (CSR) civic leadership and philanthropy in Jamaica.

The AMCHAM Business and Civic Leadership Awards Programme, will see non-profit organisations and individuals that are driving and achieving both economic and social progress in Jamaica through leadership, stewardship and community building activities receive awards and recognition for their work.

Becky Stockhausen, executive director of AMCHAM, told members of the press that the body saw the need to recognise and encourage those persons involved in CSR activities in Jamaica and those who inspire others with their “vision, leadership and achievement”.

The award is not meant to mirror of detract from other business awards in Jamaica. As chair of the awards committee Ann-Dawn Young-Sang outlined, the focus is not on company financial performance per say, but on CSR and other philanthropic efforts.

“The AMCHAM Business and civic leadership awards programme is like no other. We are focussed on telling the positive story of Jamaica and the many committed, responsible and honourable men and women who make this little country the best in the world,” she said.

The awards fall in three categories and nominations, now open, are being requested from the public.

The first, the ‘AMCHAM Jamaica Award of Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility’ will recognise CSR by companies operating in Jamaica. The nominees will be judged on commitment to corporate citizenry, policies, programmes or projects with measurable or evidenced improvement of the communities in which they operate.

The second, the ‘AMCHAM Jamaica Award for Excellence for Civic Leadership’ recognises sustained commitment by individuals and non-profit organisations to national and community development. This should be evidenced by the funding and engagement in projects that enhance development, demonstrate and engender civic responsibility. The nominees will be judged on how well they have improved the social and economic conditions in a particular community or communities and how well they have inspired and influenced others to do the same.

The final award, the ‘AMCHAM Jamaica Award of Excellence in Arts and Culture’ recognises individuals, non-profit organisations and companies that have made outstanding contribution to the positive promotion of ‘Brand Jamaica’ in a range of spheres not limited to the traditional definition of the arts. These include manufactured products, promotions, the visual, literary and performing arts. The committee will recognise contributions made at the national, regional and international levels and will look at economic and sustainability issues relating to, among other things, job creation, knowledge and skill sharing.

The nomination process ends at 4:00 pm September 15, 2010, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the Jamaica Pegasus on September 28, 2010. Stockhausen noted that claims of CSR and other initiatives must be verifiable and substantiated. An independent judging panel of corporate citizens will review the nominations and select the winners.

The awards will take the form of signature items which will be unveiled at the function in September. There are no cash awards. Nomination forms are available at the AMCHAM Jamaica office, Suite 119, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5; via email at amcham@cwjamaica.com; the website at www.amchamjamaica.org; for download at the Jamaica Observer website www.jamaicaobserver.com and at the offices of Ernst and Young, Capital and Credit in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and Supreme Ventures outlets islandwide.